Best subcompact for the money

[tacticalturnip]

And you think a SCUT will be better? I doubt it. Check these out. TSM Class

Yes, a subcompact tractor is significantly better on hills than a zero-turn by nature. All the better with ballast and spacers.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Heard great things about the T25, which will run a mid mount mower. The 2515 is a great unit, but no mid PTO.

 

[Rdrcr]

I can't use a ZT. I have some steep hills to mow that require good traction.

Can’t use a ZT due to steep hills?
….your prayers are answered!!!

The Cub Cadet Pro Z 560 S KW!

It has 4-wheel steering, it’s built like a tank, mows steep hills safely and effectively…it’ll save you a bunch of time when compared to a compact tractor w/MMM...and it cuts great too!

Mike

 

[tacticalturnip]

Heard great things about the T25, which will run a mid mount mower. The 2515 is a great unit, but no mid PTO.

Neither is really a subcompact; in particular the 2515 is huge for a lawnmower.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Well, the T25 is a sub. I misspoke, the 2610 is also a sub

 

[TN8Man]

What features or attachments do you want in subcompact? Loader, 3 point, PTO rear and or mid for mower deck, snow removal equipment.

This will also help identify brands and or models.

4WD and mower deck (with quick and easy attach/disconnect) for sure and a rear PTO. I would also want the loader if it also has a quick and easy attach/disconnect.

 

[TN8Man]

And you think a SCUT will be better? I doubt it. Check these out. TSM Class

My cheap lawn mower with diff lock can handle the steep hills. The problem is its built cheap and keeps breaking.

 

[TN8Man]

Are you in middle or east Tn? What do you mean by steep as that is a relative term. Put some chains on your back tires and lean into the hill. There are plenty of guides and videos on the internet to give you pointers on how to mow on a hill. Don't mow when the grass is wet, keep your front wheels up hill of your back wheels, back up to turn around, start at the top of the hill.

The Upper Cumberland region of Middle TN. The steepness varies but steep enough were some people wouldn't try it no matter what and I won't if the grass/dirt is wet.

 

[Yander]

SA Series | YANMAR Tractor

Explore YANMAR tractor models in the versatile SA Series. Popular for 2 to 25 acres.

www.yanmartractor.com

This one has my vote for best you can buy period. Not the cheapest either but also not the most expensive. So, best for the money.

 

[TN8Man]

If you have steep hills , there is nothing better than either a Ventrac, Steiner or the Bobcat AT450. They are articulating and oscillating and if you get dual wheels they are extremely safe. They wont do everything a traditional tractor will do but they do hillside mowing better than anything.

Got a Kioti CS2520 to try out and see if it would make a good just mowing tractor. Had it for a year and so far, pleased with it. It will climb very steep hills; I mean just ridiculously steep hills in 4wd. I felt if I wasn't careful, I would fall over backwards. I do mostly all my mowing in just 2wd. Non loaded turf tires. Has the two-pedal hydro like JD, which just spoils you. I just don't like the Kubota treadle pedal. Plus, the radiator is in the front of the tractor like the big boys. I've got a JD X750 which I mow with also and I am always cleaning the screen, sometimes every 20 minutes which slows me down always blowing out the screen and entire under hood of the machine with my electric leaf blower. it's worst the dryer it is. The JD and the Kubota subcompacts have the radiator up by the operator's station. I'm done with that arrangement. I've mower for 4 hours straight, lift hood on the Kioti and there is some debris there, but mostly nothing. Of concern I blow it out after each mowing by habit, and just good maintenance practice. The JD subcompact 1026R had an aluminum rear axle I believe. When I went to look at the Kioti I took a magnet and first thing I did was see if it stuck to the rear axle. it did. The entire tractor is built like a WWII German Tiger Panzer Tank. Kubota and JD will not deal none whatsoever, this is the price, do you want the tractor or not. The JD salesperson was just not interested in selling a tractor, and acted as if I was bothering him. He did have that "Joba the Hut" look to him also. I finished talking to the Kioti salesperson and he said, "I'm going to give you another $300 dollars off just for all I learned from you for the last 2 hours talking with you". I told him before the extra discount he should point out these differences between JD, Kubota, and Kioti. Didn't find out till ownership about having the radiator in front and what an asset that is. I would never take a zero turn up some of the hills I mowed with this little Kioti. I mowed where I mostly likely should not have just to see what the little fellow could do, and "Little K" ate it all up and wanted more. Zero turns are very limited in my opinion, most have no 4wd, and mowing is about all they can do. You also always have to have your hands on the steering handles, or no forward motion. With the Kioti, one hand on the wheel, foot on forward pedal, and free hand to deflect branches sometimes. I started out with looking at the CS2210, but after talking to the salesperson, he up graded me to the CS2520 with 60" mower deck, turf tires, spare set of mower blades, complete filter set for another $1K, tax included. Started out being $3K extra. Plus, you have a 3 pt hitch. All calculated in I got a 23% discount off of MSRP. I did not get a loader with it. Didn't want it. So if you already got the NX5010, check out "Little K". Kioti does copy some positive things from other tractors. Happy hunting.

Good info!
I actually started this endeavor by spotting an ad in our local sales website where someone was selling a Kioti cs2410 with 60" mower deck, no loader, with only 360hrs at under $10k.

I do like my NX and before that I had a Kioti CK3510 which was a great tractor.

I'm thinking a sub-compact would solve my cheap lawn tractor problem, provide more stability on hills with 4WD but also provide more capabilities for work in places where the NX is too big like my garden.